Our goal is to customize the standard testing routines to your individual needs and problems. Thus we generate high quality results in a fast, uncomplicated and inexpensive way. Being a reliable service provider, Grasse Zur Ingenieurgesellschaft conducts mechanical material tests according to all established testing methods for fibre reinforced plastics. In addition, we create new, innovative methods. We focus on quasi-static as well as dynamic mechanical tests and are happy to develop not yet standardized testing systems for you.

As developers and manufacturers of testing systems, we particularly promote shear stress testing with our innovative shear stress testing frame GZ S80 . This new testing device, described in DIN SPEC 4885, won the annual innovation awards DIN Innovation Prize 2014 and Innovation Prize Berlin-Brandenburg 2014. As Spin-off out of the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) we profit from fundamental experiences in applied science research projects. After several years of working in corporate environments we also know about the challenges of daily practice in industrial companies.

The main emphasis of our work will continue to be transferring the results of current research on composite material testing into products, services and technical consulting to promote your company.

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Our Services (20)

Shear Testing

To measure shear strength there are several shear test methods in existence for composite materials. They can be grouped by their way of force application (compressive force via rim of specimen, friction force via clamping system) or their required specimen geometry (with or without notch, miniaturised). Furthermore the tensile... Show more »

To measure shear strength there are several shear test methods in existence for composite materials. They can be grouped by their way of force application (compressive force via rim of specimen, friction force via clamping system) or their required specimen geometry (with or without notch, miniaturised). Furthermore the tensile test can be modified to a shear test using fibre orientation of +/-45° and also the flexural test can be used to determin shear properties. All of the established methods have in common that testing provides reliable results for small shear deformations (<5%) i.e. small shear forces only.

Dependable characterisation of high performance fibre reinforced composite materials gains increasing importance. We specialized in this field and additionally offer the innovative shear frame test described in DIN SPEC 4885. It was developed in collaboration with German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). This method is tolerant to high deformation and thus compatible to measure high shear strength composite laminates.

Compression Testing

For testing compression properties of fibre reinforced materials several testing methods are available, all described in DIN EN ISO 14126. They can be systemized by their load application. Performing Celanese and IITRI, compression force will be applied via clamings („shear loading“), whereas performing the method described in... Show more »

For testing compression properties of fibre reinforced materials several testing methods are available, all described in DIN EN ISO 14126. They can be systemized by their load application. Performing Celanese and IITRI, compression force will be applied via clamings („shear loading“), whereas performing the method described in ASTM 695, the force will be applied at the end of the specimen („end loading“).

According to investigations, the various testing methods lead to the same results if properly performed [1]. The fabrication and preparation of the specimen in particular must be done with great care. For the end loading configuration the endings of the specimen must be manufactured with high precision, whereas for the shear loading configuration an equal thickness must be complied over the whole length of the specimen.

Compression Test of flat specimen using a modified Celanese Compression Device according to prEN 2850

Adhesion Testing

The plastics industry relies on release agents to ensure smooth production processes. Release agents form the critical barrier between mold wall and plastic melt in the manufacture of molded articles. To ensure flawless demoulding the release agent must be applied carefully all over the inner surface of the mold walls, which is... Show more »

The plastics industry relies on release agents to ensure smooth production processes. Release agents form the critical barrier between mold wall and plastic melt in the manufacture of molded articles. To ensure flawless demoulding the release agent must be applied carefully all over the inner surface of the mold walls, which is unfeasible for automatisation. For this purpose integrated release agent polymer systems are developed. To quantify their residual adhesion force we developed the testing system GZ RA-20.

The tested mixture is applied between two heated parallel surfaces of tool steel. Temperature and duration are set according to process configuration or can be determined using GZ RA-20, respectively. Subsequently one surface will be lifted by a set speed monitoring the residual adhesion force induced by the polymer mixture.

Flexural Testing

Bending properties of composite materials are commonly tested according to DIN EN ISO 14125, DIN EN ISO 178 and DIN 53293, using a three point or four point flexural bending test device. The flexural tests provide values for the modulus of elasticity in bending, flexural stress, flexural strain and the flexural stress-strain... Show more »

Bending properties of composite materials are commonly tested according to DIN EN ISO 14125, DIN EN ISO 178 and DIN 53293, using a three point or four point flexural bending test device. The flexural tests provide values for the modulus of elasticity in bending, flexural stress, flexural strain and the flexural stress-strain response of the material.

The test method involves a specified test fixture on a universal testing machine. The sample is placed on two supporting pins a set distance apart and a third (three point) or fourth (four point) loading pin is lowered from above at a constant rate until a given deformation or until sample failure.

The major difference between the two methods being that the addition of a 4th bearing brings a much larger portion of the beam to the maximum stress, providing a constant distribution of strain and deformation, as opposed to only the material right under the central bearing. Between the test fictures and the loading pins a shear stress is applied. It is mandatory to keep the shear stress lower than the tested material’s shear strength. Within the test area there is no shear stress at all.

Besides the static flexural test we also offer dynamic flexural testing, using our innovative dynamic flexural testing device. We are happy to give advice on characteristics of flexural testings.

Tensile Testing

Tensile (or tension) testing is a fundamental materials science test in which a sample is subjected to a controlled static tension until failure. The results from the test are commonly used to select a material for an application, for quality control, and to predict how a material will react under other types of forces.

Tensile (or tension) testing is a fundamental materials science test in which a sample is subjected to a controlled static tension until failure. The results from the test are commonly used to select a material for an application, for quality control, and to predict how a material will react under other types of forces.

To gain high quality testing results the fabrication and preparation of the specimen in particular must be done with great care. Cap strips of +/-45° oriented tapes prevent unacceptable clamping area failure. The requested highly accurate manufacturing of the rims of the specimen can be achieved by strictly following the order of fabrication (cutting the specimen after applying the cap strips). Using diamond blades or CNC milling machines are state of the art.

Specimen with 0° (parallel) and 90° (transversal) fibre orientation are used to determin the values needed for material characerisation concerning stiffness and strength.